A suggestion

[ptah]

The National Schools Chaplain program is in the air once more. I bet it will still be so next year. So why not have a part of the next convention devoted to discussing just that? But, if we just have a talk, by however impressive a speaker, then I imagine the media will present it as 'us versus them'. So instead, why not get some young people involved in it? The NSCP consists of sending chaplains in to schools to tell kids what to think. Let's turn that on its head. Let's have something where young people (younger than me, at least) can present their own thoughts! Not necessarily a talk. Perhaps on-line, posters, videos. With prizes, perhaps, for the best presentation! Let them decide that too.

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[Praxis]

Hi ptah, you might like to make an introductory post in our new members section so people can say hi and you can tell us a bit about yourself.

Cheers.

[DanDare]

Nice suggestion. Lets have the topic a little broader, say religion in schools. Then we can get discussion on R.I., the Gideon society handing out bibles, prayers at assembly and so on.

Interestingly, this is a "global" atheist convention so we want to include US schools, European schools, British schools, Chinese and Afrcian schools etc. And the issues they all face in this regard.

Oh, and while we are at it, is it time to have a go at faith schools?

[Jebbie]

I think this is a great idea, ptah. I plan to bring my son (14 y.o. by then) to the convention next year. We talk about critical thinking, Atheism and skepticism a lot and I think something that engages young people at the convention would be fantastic. By the way, there is an active Chaplain at his new school and we have plenty of discussion about this.

[askegg]

I love the idea. A short 5-10 minute video asking school children their views on these topics could be quite powerful. I am thinking along the lines of "children say the darnest things". I have two young children in the public school system, two cousins in private Christian schools, and spent sometime behind the desk putting videos together (just for my youtube channel, not commercially). Happy to help out where I can.

[davo]

Personally, whereas these things are great ideas, I think the GAC is a world class event aimed at doing one thing extremely well, and that's to bring together world class speakers with the effect of blowing away the media and the attendees with the quality and strength of the presentations, to show that non-believers are as David Nicholls states in the press release, a force to be reckoned with.

Workshops and other types of interactions can occur around it, but to try and fit the many issues into such a short time would be impossible, and to please everyone. There will always be people that want more from the event and there is no reason people cannot, and indeed it is encouraged, that people plan events around it. This gives us a top-notch focus that lends strength to other actions. The Freethought University Alliance was just one example of concerned individuals that understood and took advantage of this process. I hope that others don't just want a presented 'action' and complain if it is not present, without organising something themselves.

Different people for sure want to do different things with a convention after seeing how well we put on our format in 2010, but realistically you are talking a few days. For productive workshops I consider a week necessary from past experience, with definitively focussed groups because the problem is, everyone has different ideas and with large groups you walk away from things not achieving anything other than a few more signed up to the mailing list, waiting to be fed updates from the same core group of people. Something that can be done with one good post from PZ, or other bloggers, or a FB page or hot 140 character witty tweet :\

My opinion is that these discussions and activities are something that can occur around the GAC with more focussed groups interested in actually taking it further. It cuts out the 'I'm here for one day and want to tell everyone how they should do it' then you never see them again.... well at least lowers the amount of people doing that to something manageable.

I think focussed meetups and groups surrounding the event that is more organic in nature deals with these issues, and maintains a central core format that strengthens them in the form of world class presentations by world class thinkers and active freethinkers. There is no reason people cannot organise a week of action around the event the AFA is running! Or two weeks! :)

Saying that, what happens if the chaplaincy project is stopped in the meantime as just one example? Many issues are ongoing and for sure raised at the event, but to try and plan workshops on topic that can vary from one week to the next a year ahead is near impossible with the size of the last convention, let alone the next.

Hopefully the brilliance of that one thing done well will lift the bar for other events, discussions, workshops, meetups and to incite non-believers into direct action and open revolt (joke Mr Federal Police, media and other folk without a sense of humour).

Of course, that is just my opinion, there are heaps of others and we will just have to see what happens ;) There are so many dynamics that spring from these types of ideas, and without being in the middle trying to co-ordinate it's hard to get across just how huge running such an event is. The committee has been working flat out over the past few months, and it will only be ramping up over the whole year.

So saying that, by all means people should organise this stuff around what is being done by others in their own focus. But go easy on us if we just try and get one thing done right, it's hard enough just doing that ;)

[ptah]

I was thinking of something in parallel to, or pre/post, rather than embedded within, the conference. I agree that there would be a danger of diluting the themes with to much stuff. But it doesn't have to be there and then, but could be a virtual meeting using whatever technology is appropriate. A starting point might be ask some kids what they think. Personally, I know none so I'm curious.

[BlueDevil]

Religion in schools is a big issue at present, and judging by the number of threads here on the AFA forum one that interests many people. I think it is well worth considering some way of including it within the GAC.

[Perspective]

I'm not sure of the GAC room/forum set up so this may not fit within the realms of possibility - but how about setting up 'expo' style with a few select topics (one being religion in schools) dotted around the room. This way people can navigate their way around to areas that interest them and perhaps meet people with similar issues/ideas etc. When I say expo style, all I mean is a sign above a beer table so that people know what discussion is going on where.

Seeing as I'm coming alone, it would be a great way to meet people.

[davo]

2010 GAC the foyer had booked tables etc, with various groups around, where around 2500 people mingled and could talk with different groups etc, just like what you are talking about, but realistically it takes others not just us to organise topics and formats. Just try to organise one, let alone a small expo and I am sure you will work out what I am trying to say with regard workload. It really needs people to stand up to do it.

So yes, all this was there at the 2010 GAC, and undoubtedly at the 2012 ... Go for it ;) The AFA is all for supporting this stuff, but can't logistically be the centrepoint for organising an expo on topics without people actually doing it, it is atm just aiming to bring together speakers and an event in the first place to talk about topics and I tell you what, that's a lot of work :) If people want more focussed than that, with more local focus than the Global one we are putting forward, then they should get onto it ;)

I really hope people do organise around the GAC and step up to do that, we would all love to see that and hear from groups doing so, and support it any way we can within our ability and the logistics of running such an event*.

* to give you an example, you need a card and have done a test just to plugin a power lead at the MCEC (including all electrical equipment tagged and certified by an MCEC technician before the event). All people 'working' on site need certificates, approval by the MCEC plus training sessions in safety and emergency procedures etc etc. The logistics of something like this is just massive, and a testament to how good the last one was that people don't realise just how much work went into it ;)

[Perspective]

I apologise if I sounded as though it was a flippant suggestion that undermines the hard work currently being done by the event organisers. I've organised a few very small events which were massive in logistics so I can imagine what you guys are dealing with.

I'm not sure what I can/could contribute to help event organisers but would like to feel that I can contribute somehow.

Is it worth starting a thread (perhaps in members area) in which people can offer services to help in the organisation? Perhaps the committee could highlight areas that most need support?

Working parties in and around the event sounds good, although they would all need a reference point and group leader. I'm not sure how all this would work withought people being aware of all the logistics. Planning groups in and around the event may not be privy to such information and may go off on tangents which aren't practical.

Food for thought for event organisers in any case. I think a decision needs to be made if you want working parties in and around the GAC and if so, who or how will they be moderated?

Here if it helps :o

[ptah]

I apologise if I sounded as though it was a flippant suggestion that undermines the hard work currently being done by the event organisers. I've organised a few very small events which were massive in logistics so I can imagine what you guys are dealing with.

I'm not sure what I can/could contribute to help event organisers but would like to feel that I can contribute somehow.

Is it worth starting a thread (perhaps in members area) in which people can offer services to help in the organisation? Perhaps the committee could highlight areas that most need support?

Working parties in and around the event sounds good, although they would all need a reference point and group leader. I'm not sure how all this would work withought people being aware of all the logistics. Planning groups in and around the event may not be privy to such information and may go off on tangents which aren't practical.

Food for thought for event organisers in any case. I think a decision needs to be made if you want working parties in and around the GAC and if so, who or how will they be moderated?

Here if it helps :o

The thread suggestion sounds good. Maybe the GAC organisers can supply a framework within which side events can organise, not just this one? Also, here, if wanted.